NURSING SOCIETY PAINED BY ARTICLE

The American Society for Pain Management Nurses was outraged when our name
preceded the unbalanced front-page story, Lewis speaks out against dope for
agony. Lewis (a paid neurostimulator spokesperson) is an expert on his own
pain but is clearly not a pain management expert.

We want to clarify that views expressed in this article do not reflect
those of ASPMN, a nursing organization dedicated to promoting optimal pain
management for all. Most of the 50 million Americans with persistent pain
are undertreated, in part because unbalanced media, such as The Sun News,
peddle more fear than facts.

One point we do agree with Lewis on is, we need to educate [about pain]
desperately. But before doing this with everyone, we suggest he (and The
Sun News) examines research and consensus statements (from many trustworthy
medical groups and the Drug Enforcement Administration) characterizing
opioids as safe, effective and medically necessary.

Paul Arnstein

President

American Society of Pain Management Nurses

Chestnut Hill, Mass.